This study examines Thai residents' perception of tourism's impacts on their communities. Two destination groups in Southern Thailand representing domestic and international tourist destina- tions were chosen to explore the similarities and differences i their residents' perception of tourism and its development. The results revealed that the majority of respondents were female, 18 to 34 years of age, single, and born in the area. Thai respondents perceived preservation and encouragement of local culture, an increase in investment, and an increase in local gov ernment's revenues as the top three impacts of tourism. Residents who resided in domestic tourist destinations from who lived in international tourist destinations in regard to envi ronmental, economic, and social factors